Birds of Roan Mountain State Park 1015 Hwy 143, Roan Mountain, Tennessee 37687 / 800-250-8620 Roan Mountain State Park is an ideal basecamp for adventure. The park encompasses 1,998 acres dominated by rich hardwood forest along rugged ridges. The cool, clear Doe River winds its way through the center of the park, and supports a healthy population of trout. Visitors can camp or stay in a cabin, hike along creeks and ridges, and tour the century-old Miller Farmstead. The park sits at the base of the majestic 6,285-foot Roan Mountain which offers access to the Appalachian Trail. There are plenty of opportunities for bird sightings including the golden-winged warbler. Nearby Hampton Cove Creek State Natural Area is a designated Important Bird Area. Responsible Birding - Do not endanger the welfare of birds. - Tread lightly and respect bird habitat. - Silence is golden. - Do not use electronic sound devices to attract birds during nesting season, May-July. - Take extra care when in a nesting area. - Always respect the law and the rights of others, violators subject to prosecution. - Do not trespass on private proper - Avoid pointing your binoculars at other people or their homes. - Limit group sizes in areas that are not conducive to large crowds. Helpful Links Tennessee Birding Trails www.tnbirdingtrail.org Field Checklist of Tennessee Birds www.tnwatchablewildlife.org eBird Hotspots and Sightings www.ebird.org Tennessee Ornithological Society www.tnbirds.org Tennessee State Parks Birding www.tnstateparks.com Pine Siskin www.tnstateparks.com/activities/birding Additional Nearby State Park Birding Opportunities David Crockett Birthplace – Campground - Limestone, TN 37681 / 423-257-2167 www.tnstateparks.com/parks/about/davy-crockett-birthplace Panther Creek – Campground - Morristown, TN 37814 / 423-587-7046 www.tnstateparks.com/parks/about/panther-creek Sycamore Shoals – Interpretive Museum - Elizabethton, TN 37643 / 423-543-5808 www.tnstateparks.com/parks/about/sycamore-shoals Warriors’ Path – Campground - Kingsport, TN 37663 / 423-239-8531 www.tnstateparks.com/parks/about/warriors-path Birding Locations In and Around Roan Mountain State Park A hiking trail map and checklist to the Birds of Roan Mountain State Park are available at the park. Forest Road Trail: Campground to Doe River Section: 36.16029, -82.09748 1.5 Miles - Natural Surface - Moderate – Spring, Summer, Fall This trail climbs and descends two ridges dominated mostly by oak, hickory, beech, and tulip poplar. Featured Birds: downy woodpecker, pileated woodpecker, hairy woodpecker, northern flicker, Acadian flycatcher, eastern phoebe, eastern wood peewee, common raven, tufted titmouse, wood thrush, blue-headed vireo, red-eyed vireo, barred owl, and screech owl. Picnic Shelter 1: 36.17032, -82.09866 Paved and Natural Surface – Easy - Spring, Summer, Fall This roadside picnic area is bordered by wildflower/native grass fields, marshy wetland, orchard, mowed field, forested ridges, and the Doe River across the highway. Featured Birds: belted kingfisher, Louisiana waterthrush, great blue heron, Carolina wren, eastern bluebird, gray catbird, northern parula, yellow warbler, chestnut-sided warbler, black throated blue warbler, black and white warbler, redstart, ovenbird, scarlet tanager, indigo bunting, chipping sparrow, field sparrow, song sparrow, red-winged blackbird, house finch and American goldfinch. Miller Farmstead: 36.17827, -82.11239 0.5 Mile – Paved and Natural Surface - Easy – Year-round This National Historic home site offers a wide variety of habitats, such as grassland, gardens, orchards, open fields, and high forested ridgelines. Featured Birds: turkey vulture, Cooper’s hawk, red-tailed hawk, ruffed grouse, wild turkey, northern bobwhite, barred owl, screech owl, ruby-throated hummingbird, common raven, Carolina chickadee, cedar waxwing, scarlet tanager, northern cardinal, indigo bunting, eastern towhee, field sparrow, dark-eyed junco and eastern meadowlark. Visitors Center: Peg Leg Mine Trail and Cloudland Nature Trail: 36.17645, -82.09224 0.85 Mile - Natural Surface – Moderate – Year-round Along the Doe River and nestled between ridges, both the Peg Leg Mine Trail and the Cloudland Nature Trail are short, moderate loops that begin and end behind the building. Featured Birds: great blue heron, belted kingfisher, mourning dove, screech owl, barred owl, Acadian flycatcher, eastern phoebe, Carolina chickadee, blue jay, scarlet tanager, wood thrush, ovenbird, eastern towhee. Nearby Birding Locations Hampton Creek Cove State Natural Area: Parking Area: 36.1523, -82.0556 www.tn.gov/environment/article/na-na-Hampton-Creek-Cove - 423-772-0190- Spring, Summer, Fall This forested and pastoral site is best known for a substantial population of nesting golden-winged warblers, which may be found in any of the early successional edges along the hiking trails. Nearly 140 species of birds have been observed. Featured Birds: warblers, vireos, thrushes, flycatchers, black-billed cuckoo, American redstart, eastern phoebe, cedar waxwing, field sparrow, song sparrow, barn swallow, barred owl, Cooper’s hawk and broad-winged hawk. Pisgah National Forest/Roan Mountain/Carver’s Gap: Parking Area: 36.10629, -82.11021 www.fs.usda.gov/main/nfsnc/home - 828-257-4200 – Spring, Summer, Fall This site at the Tennessee-North Carolina border provides access to high elevation spruce-fir forests, grassy balds and shrub balds above 5,500 feet elevation. So far, 130 species of birds have been identified. Featured Birds: raptors, warblers, thrushes, cedar waxwing, alder flycatcher, horned lark, vesper sparrow, red-breasted nuthatch, brown creeper, winter wren, golden-crowned kinglet, hermit thrush, pine siskin, Canada warbler, veery, junco and common raven. Steele Creek Park: Nature Center Parking: 36.5736, -82.2345 www.bristoltn.org/166/Steele-Creek-Park - 423-989-5616 - Winter, Spring, Fall This city park encompasses 2,200 acres including forested hills, a nature center, a 52 acre lake, a two-mile gravel trail along the lakeshore, and over 24 miles of trails. Over 200 species of birds have been identified. Featured Birds: Acadian flycatcher, worm-eating warbler, Louisiana waterthrush, yellow-throated vireo, blue-gray gnatcatcher, scarlet tanager, summer tanager, mallard, gadwall, pied-billed grebe, green heron, great blue heron and wood duck..